Nigerian and Thai wife arrested in cocaine bust

A Nigerian man and his Thai wife were arrested after 130 grammes of cocaine valued at around 400,000 baht were discovered during a raid in Bangkok on Monday night.

The suspects were identified as Emeka Edwin Udeze, a 40-year-old Nigerian national, and his wife, Naruechon Soonthornkaran, aka “Beam”, 49, police said yesterday.

Mr Udeze was apprehended at his home in the Ramkhamhaeng area after Ms Naruechon was detained in a parking lot in Soi Rojanamin on Pracha Uthit Road in Wang Thong Lang district.

Police also impounded 127.14 grammes of cocaine, 7,000 baht in cash and an iPhone held by the couple.

The arrests came after the Metropolitan Police Bureau was told by a suspect in a separate case that a drug dealer, identified only as Beam, was selling cocaine via a Line chat application.

Police then posed as clients in a sting operation which led to the arrests.

Ms Naruechon allegedly confessed to i nvestigators under questioning, saying she acquired the cocaine from her husband, Mr Udeze, with whom she has been in a relationship for more than four years.

The Nigerian had purchased the drug from a compatriot who had already left Thailand, police were told.

Ms Naruechon said the cocaine was sold to Thais and foreigners at entertainment venues.

The pair have been charged with being in possession and selling the drug.

Investigators were not convinced by Ms Naruchon’s account.

Further inquiries will be conducted to ascertain whether there are other suspects involved in the drug trafficking ring.